Weathermen killed on weather patrol in World War II to be honored November 19 in Washington, D.C.

More than 70 years after the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Muskeget was sunk by enemy fire, four National Weather Service meteorologists on board will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal for their sacrifice. This marks the first time a weather service employee has been awarded the Purple Heart. Family members of the weathermen will accept the medal on November 19 in Washington, D.C.

In August 1942, the Muskeget, a weather observation ship, departed from Boston, to collect weather information at Weather Station No. 2 in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Muskeget’s last weather report was received on September 9 and then the ship disappeared. Later, the military determined the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine U-755. All crew members were killed.

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and our other social media channels.

The U.S. Coast Guard is one of the five armed forces of the United States and the only military organization within the Department of Homeland Security. Since 1790 the Coast Guard has safeguarded our Nation's maritime interests and environment around the world.